CONTENTS
| PAGE | |
| [CHAPTER I] | |
| 1471-1480 | |
| The Castello of Ferrara—The House of Este—Accession of DukeErcole I.—His marriage to Leonora of Aragon—Birth of Isabellaand Beatrice d'Este—Plot of Niccolo d'Este—Visit of Leonora toNaples—The court of King Ferrante—Betrothal of Beatrice d'Esteto Lodovico Sforza, Duke of Bari—And of Isabella d'Este toFrancesco Gonzaga | 1 |
| [CHAPTER II] | |
| 1451-1582 | |
| Lodovico Sforza—Known as Il Moro—His birth and childhood —Murderof Duke Galeazzo Maria—Regency of Duchess Bona—Exile of theSforza brothers—Lodovico at Pisa—His invasion of Lombardy andreturn to Milan—Death of Cecco Simonetta—Flight of DuchessBona—Lodovico Regent of Milan | 11 |
| [CHAPTER III] | |
| 1482-1490 | |
| Wars of Venice and Ferrara—Invasion of Ferrara—Lodovico Sforza andAlfonso of Calabria come to the help of Ercole d'Este—Peace ofBagnolo—Prosperity of Ferrara, and cultivation of art and learningat Ercole's court—Guarino and Aldo Manuzio—Strozzi and Boiardo—Architectureand painting—The frescoes of the Schifanoia—Music andthe drama—Education of Isabella and Beatrice d'Este | 27 |
| [CHAPTER IV] | |
| 1485-1490 | |
| Isabella d'Este—Lodovico Sforza delays his wedding—Plot againsthis life—Submission of Genoa—Duke Gian Galeazzo—The Sanseverinibrothers—Messer Galeazzo made Captain-General of the Milanesearmies—His marriage to Bianca Sforza—Marriage of Gian Galeazzoto Isabella of Aragon—Wedding festivities at Milan —Lodovicodraws up his marriage contract with Beatrice d'Este | 40 |
| [CHAPTER V] | |
| 1490-1491 | |
| Marriage of Isabella d'Este—Lodovico puts off his wedding—CeciliaGallerani—Her portrait by Leonardo da Vinci—Mission of GaleazzoVisconti to Ferrara—Preparations for Beatrice's wedding— CristoforoRomano's bust—Duchess Leonora and her daughters travel to Piacenzaand Pavia—Their reception at Pavia by Lodovico | 50 |
| [CHAPTER VI] | |
| 1491 | |
| City and University of Pavia—Duomo and Castello—The library of theCastello—Wedding of Lodovico Sforza, Duke of Bari, and Beatriced'Este, in the chapel of the Castello of Pavia—Galeazzo di SanSeverino and Orlando—Reception of the bride in Milan— Tournamentsand festivities at the Castello—Visit of Duchess Leonora to theCertosa of Pavia | 60 |
| [CHAPTER VII] | |
| 1491 | |
| Beatrice Duchess of Bari—Her popularity at the court of Milan—Giangaleazzo and Isabella of Aragon—Lodovico's first impressions—Hisgrowing affection for his wife—His letters to Isabella d'Este—Huntingand fishing parties—Cussago and Vigevano—Controversy onOrlando and Rinaldo—Bellincioni's sonnets | 75 |
| [CHAPTER VIII] | |
| 1491 | |
| Relations between Lodovico and Beatrice—Cecilia Gallerani—Birth ofher son Cesare—Her marriage to Count Bergamini—Beatrice at VillaNova and Vigevano—The Sforzesca and Pecorara—Lodovico's system ofirrigation in the Lomellina—Leonardo at Vigevano— Hunting-partiesand country life—Letters to Isabella d'Este | 88 |
| [CHAPTER IX] | |
| 1491-1492 | |
| Isabella of Aragon and Beatrice d'Este—Ambrogio Borgognone andGiovanni Antonio Amadeo—Cristoforo Romano and his works at Paviaand Cremona—The Certosa of Pavia—Illness of Beatrice —Her journeyto Genoa—Correspondence between Isabella and Lodovico Sforza—Visitof the Marquis of Mantua to Milan | 99 |
| [CHAPTER X] | |
| 1491 | |
| Claims of Charles VIII. to Naples—Of the Duke of Orleans to Milan—Intrigues of the Venetian Senate, of Pope Innocent VIII., and ofFerrante and Alfonso of Naples—Visit of the French ambassadors toMilan—Treasures of the Castello—Jewels of Lodovico Sforza—Isabellaof Aragon and her father—An embassy to the French court proposed—Secretinstructions of the Count of Caiazzo—Fête at Vigevano—Tournamentof Pavia | 112 |
| [CHAPTER XI] | |
| 1492 | |
| Intellectual and artistic revival in Lombardy—Lodovico and hissecretaries—Building of the new University of Pavia—Reforms andextension of the University—The library of the Castello remodelled—Polizianoand Merula—Lodovico founds new schools at Milan—Equestrian statue ofFrancesco Sforza—Leonardo's paintings atMilan—Lodovico as a patron of art and learning | 125 |
| [CHAPTER XII] | |
| 1492 | |
| Beatrice d'Este as a patron of learning and poetry—VincenzoCalmeta, her secretary—Serafino d'Aquila—Rivalry of Lombard andTuscan poets—Gaspare Visconti's works—Poetic jousts with Bramante—Niccolo da Correggio and other poets—Dramatic art and music atthe court of Milan—Gaffuri and Testagrossa—Lorenzo Gusnasco ofPavia | 141 |
| [CHAPTER XIII] | |
| 1492 | |
| Visit of Duke Ercole to Milan, and of Isabella d'Este—Election ofPope Alexander VI.—Bribery of the Cardinals—Influence of AscanioSforza over the new Pope, and satisfaction of Lodovico—Hunting-parties at Pavia and Vigevano—Fêtes at Milan—Visit of Isabellato Genoa—Lodovico's letters—Piero de Medici—King Ferrante'sjealousy of the alliance between Rome and Milan | 155 |
| [CHAPTER XIV] | |
| 1493 | |
| Birth of Beatrice's first-born son—The Duchess of Ferrara at Milan—Fêtes and rejoicings at court and in the Castello—The courtmoves to Vigevano—Beatrice's wardrobe—Her son's portrait —Lettersto her mother and sister—Lodovico's plans for a visit to Ferraraand Venice | 166 |
| [CHAPTER XV] | |
| 1493 | |
| Lodovico's ambitious designs—Isabella of Aragon appeals to herfather—Breach between Naples and Milan—Alliance between the Pope,Venice, and Milan proclaimed—Mission of Erasmo Brasca to the kingof the Romans—Journey of Lodovico and Beatrice to Ferrara—Fêtesand tournaments—Visit to Belriguardo, and return of Lodovico toMilan—Arrival of Belgiojoso from France | 176 |
| [CHAPTER XVI] | |
| 1493 | |
| Visit of Beatrice and her mother to Venice—Letters of Lodovico tohis wife—Reception of the duchesses by the doge at S. Clemente—Their triumphal entry—Procession and fêtes in the Grand Canal—Letter of Beatrice to her husband—The palace of the Dukes ofFerrara in Venice | 185 |
| [CHAPTER XVII] | |
| 1493 | |
| Fêtes at Venice in honour of the Duchess of Ferrara and Duchess ofBari—Beatrice d'Este has an audience with the doge and Signory —ExplainsLodovico's position and his treaties with France andGermany—Visit to St. Mark's and the Treasury—Fête in theducal palace—The Duchess visits the Great Council—Takes leave ofthe doge—Return to Ferrara | 195 |
| [CHAPTER XVIII] | |
| 1493 | |
| Return of Beatrice to Milan—Visit of Duke Ercole and Alfonso toPavia—Death of Duchess Leonora—Beatrice's camora andNiccolo da Correggio's fantasia dei vinci—Marriage of BiancaMaria Sforza to Maximilian, King of the Romans, celebrated at Milan—Letter of Beatrice to Isabella d'Este—Wedding fêtes and journeyof the bride to Innsbrück—Maximilian's relations with his wife—Bianca'sfuture life | 205 |
| [CHAPTER XIX] | |
| 1493-1494 | |
| State of political affairs in Italy—Vacillating policy of LodovicoSforza—Death of King Ferrante of Naples—Alliance between hissuccessor Alfonso and Pope Alexander VI.—Lodovico urges CharlesVIII. to invade Naples—Sends Galeazzo di Sanseverino to Lyons—Cardinaldella Rovere's flight from Rome—Alfonso of Naples declareswar—Beatrice of Vigevano—The Gonzagas and the Moro—DuchessIsabella and her husband at Pavia | 221 |
| [CHAPTER XX] | |
| 1494 | |
| Arrival of the Duke of Orleans at Asti—The Neapolitan fleet sentagainst Genoa—The forces of Naples repulsed at Rapallo—CharlesVIII. at Asti—Beatrice d'Este entertains him at Annona—The king'sillness—His visit to Vigevano and Pavia—His interview with theDuke and Duchess of Milan—Last illness and death of GiangaleazzoSforza—Lodovico proclaimed Duke at Milan—Mission of MaffeoPirovano to Maximilian | 231 |
| [CHAPTER XXI] | |
| 1494 | |
| Lodovico joins Charles VIII. at Sarzana—Suspicious rumours as to thelate duke's death—Piero de' Medici surrenders the six fortresses ofTuscany to Charles VIII.—Lodovico retires in disgust from the camp—Congratulationsof all the Italian States on his accession—Griefof Duchess Isabella—Her return to Milan—Mission of Maffeo Pirovanoto Antwerp—His interviews with Maximilian and Bianca—Letter toLodovico to the Bishop of Brixen—Charles VIII. enters Rome—Histreaty with Alexander VI. and departure for Naples | 246 |
| [CHAPTER XXII] | |
| 1495 | |
| Visit of Isabella d'Este to Milan—Birth of Beatrice's son, FrancescoSforza—Fêtes and comedies at the Milanese Court—Works ofLeonardo and of Lorenzo di Pavia—Mission of Caradosso to Florenceand Rome in search of antiques—Fall of Naples—Entry of King CharlesVIII. and flight of Ferrante II.—Consternation in Milan—Departureof Isabella d'Este | 258 |
| [CHAPTER XXIII] | |
| 1495 | |
| Proclamation of the new league against France at Venice—CharlesVIII. at Naples—Demoralization of the victors—Charles leavesNaples and returns to Rome—The Duke of Orleans refuses to giveup Asti—Arrival of the imperial ambassadors at Milan—Lodovicopresented with the ducal insignia—Fêtes in the Castello—TheDuke of Orleans seizes Novara—Terror of Lodovico—Battle ofFornovo—Victory claimed by both parties—The French reach Asti—Isabella'strophies restored by Beatrice | 266 |
| [CHAPTER XXIV] | |
| 1495 | |
| Ferrante II. recovers Naples—Siege of Novara by the army of theLeague—Review of the army by the Duke and Duchess of Milan —CharlesVIII. visits Turin and comes to Vercelli—Negotiations for peace—Lodovicoand Beatrice at the camp—Treaty of Vercelli concludedbetween France and Milan—Jealousy of the other powers—Commines atVigevano—Zenale's altar-piece in the Brera | 277 |
| [CHAPTER XXV] | |
| 1496 | |
| The war of Pisa—Venice defends the liberties of Pisa againstFlorence—Lodovico invites Maximilian to enter Italy and succourthe Pisans—The Duke and Duchess of Milan go to meet the emperorat Bormio—Maximilian crosses the Alps and comes to Vigevano—Hisinterview with the Venetian envoys—His expedition to Pisa | 287 |
| [CHAPTER XXVI] | |
| 1496 | |
| Isabella d'Este joins her husband in Naples—Works of Bramante andLeonardo in the Castello of Milan—The Cenacolo—Lodovico sends forPerugino—His passion for Lucrezia Crivelli—Grief of Beatrice —Deathof Bianca Sforza—The Emperor Maximilian at Pisa—The Dukeand Duchess return to Milan—Last days and sudden death of Beatriced'Este | 298 |
| [CHAPTER XXVII] | |
| 1497 | |
| Grief of the Duke of Milan—His letters to Mantua and Pavia—Interview with Costabili—Funeral of Duchess Beatrice—Mourning ofher husband—Letters of the Emperor Maximilian and Chiara Gonzaga—Tombof Beatrice in Santa Maria delle Grazie— Leonardo's Cenacolo,and portraits of the duke and duchess —Lucrezia Crivelli | 307 |
| [CHAPTER XXVIII] | |
| 1497-1498 | |
| The Marquis of Mantua dismissed by the Venetians—He incurs DukeLodovico's displeasure by his intrigues—Isabella d'Este'scorrespondence with the Duke of Milan—Leonardo in the Castello—Deathof Charles VIII.—Visit of Lodovico to Mantua —FrancescoGonzaga appointed captain of the imperial forces —Isabella ofAragon and Isabella d'Este—Chiara Gonzaga and Caterina Sforza—Lodovico's will | 322 |
| [CHAPTER XXIX] | |
| 1499 | |
| Treaty of Blois—Alliance between France, Venice, and the Borgias—Lodovico appeals to Maximilian—His gift to Leonardo and letter tothe Certosa—The French and the Venetians invade the Milanese—Desertion of Gonzaga and treachery of Milanese captains—Loss ofAlessandria—Panic and flight of Duke Lodovico—Surrender of Paviaand Milan to the French—Treachery of Bernardino da Corte andsurrender of the Castello—Triumphal entry of Louis XII | 337 |
| [CHAPTER XXX] | |
| 1499-1500 | |
| Louis XII. in Milan—Hatred of the French rule—Return of DukeLodovico—His march to Como and triumphal entry into Milan— Trivulzioand the French retire to Mortara—Surrender of the Castello of Milan,of Pavia and Novara, to the Moro—His want of men and money—Arrivalof La Trémouille's army—Lodovico besieged in Novara and betrayed tothe French king by the Swiss—Rejoicings at Rome and Venice—Triumphof the Borgias —Sufferings of the Milanese—Leonardo's letter | 352 |
| [CHAPTER XXXI] | |
| 1500-1508 | |
| Lodovico Sforza enters Lyons as a captive—His imprisonment atPierre-Encise and Lys Saint-Georges—Laments over Il Moro in thepopular poetry of France and Italy—Efforts of the Emperor Maximilianto obtain his release—Ascanio and Ermes Sforza released—Lodovicoremoved to Loches—Paolo Giovio's account of his captivity—Hisattempt to escape—Dungeon at Loches—Death of Lodovico Sforza—Hisburial in S. Maria delle Grazie | 367 |
| [CHAPTER XXXII] | |
| 1500-1564 | |
| The Milanese exiles at Innsbrück—Galeazzo di Sanseverino becomesGrand Ecuyer of France—Is slain at Pavia—Maximilian Sforza madeDuke of Milan in 1512—Forced to abdicate by Francis I. in 1515—Reignof Francesco Sforza—Wars of France and Germany —Siege ofMilan by the Imperialists—Duke Francesco restored by Charles V.—Hismarriage and death in 1535—Removal of Lodovico and Beatrice'seffigies to the Certosa | 375 |
| [Index] | 381 |
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
| Bianca Sforza, by Ambrogio de Predis From a photograph by Signor D. Anderson, of Rome. | [frontispiece] |
| Sforza MS. Illuminated From a private photograph. | [To face p. 83] |
| Altar-piece, ascribed to Zenale, with Portraits of Lodovico
Sforza, Beatrice d'Este and their Sons From a photograph by Signor D. Anderson, of Rome. | [To face p. 284] |
| Galeazzo di Sanseverino, by Ambrogio de Predis From a photograph by Signor D. Anderson, of Rome. | [To face p. 304] |
| Tomb of Lodovico Sforza and Beatrice d'Este in the
Certosa of Pavia From a photograph by Fratelli Alinari, of Florence. | [To face p. 389] |